Vicenta San Juan

Vicenta San Juan was a humble and mild-mannered woman who worked hard throughout her entire life whether she was earning a wage or simply caring for her family. She was a gifted seamstress who made embroidered masterpieces for her family throughout her life. Vicenta leaves behind lessons in perseverance through times of trial as she always made the best of whatever hand she was dealt. She was blessed to share over 60 years of her life with her soul mate with whom she shared an enduring love. Vicenta’s life spanned times of trial and times of joy, times of contention and times of peace, which all worked together to shape the extraordinary woman who was loved so dearly.

Life in the Philippines during the early 1900s was certainly far from easy. Of particular concern in the 1900s was the country’s health system. The nation reeled from epidemics of cholera, plague, and smallpox. Other serious infectious diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and malaria were so common that they were not considered epidemics anymore. It was during the year 1919 that Augustine and Ciriaca (Reyes) Ninonuevo were able to shift their focus to a joyous time within their family with the birth of their daughter, Vicenta, on January 22nd. Vicenta was born in Manila, Philippines, located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay, as the oldest child of Augustine's second marriage, including two brothers and four sisters. Growing up in Manila was not an easy life for Vicenta, yet she enjoyed reading and playing with toys her father made her as a young girl. She often played outside, even engaging in hide-and-seek by moonlight! Vicenta’s father supported his family by growing rice and corn.

Vicenta was lucky to be able to attend local schools where she was a good student. Although quiet and reserved by nature, she was able to make friends easily while in school. After high school in Manila, Vicenta went to a school where she learned to become a seamstress. She later put her skills to good use in an embroidery factory in Manila, although it was her personal life that was of the greatest significance during this time. Vicenta was deeply involved in a budding romance with a fellow student she met while still in school. His name was Cecilio San Juan, and they married on January 22, 1939, in Manila when she was just 20 years old. Not long after they exchanged their vows, Vicenta and Cecilio were blessed to become parents to four wonderful children: Zenaida, Ronaldo, Alfredo, and Maria Theresa. Once her children were born Vicenta left the workplace to stay home and care for her children.

Once her children were older, Vicenta and her sisters, Elisa and Dominga, established a dress shop out of Vicenta’s home. Their shop was always busy, and they remained in operation for five years before it became too much for them to handle. Vicenta always put her skills to work throughout her life making clothes for her children and doing embroidery for her family as well. During her years in Manila Vicenta enjoyed remodeling her home and watching basketball in her spare time.

Life in the Philippines remained a struggle for its citizens. In 1965 Ferdinand Marcos was elected president, and he declared martial law in 1972, which lasted until 1981. Under a martial law system the military takes control of the normal administration of justice. Because of the continued difficulties in Manila, Vicenta moved to the United States with her youngest daughter, Theresa, in the mid-eighties. Her other three children had already immigrated to the United States in pursuit of a better life. Vicenta’s husband also immigrated to the United States after acquiring his immigrant status around that same time. Once she was settled in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Vicenta remained a homemaker. She lived with Theresa until she moved to St. Johns in the late 1980s.

Throughout her life Vicenta enjoyed a variety of interests. Family was always of the utmost importance to her. Later in life she greatly enjoyed spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren. In addition to doing embroidery, she also liked watching game shows on television such as Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and of course, basketball as well. Vicenta was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns.

Vicenta San Juan was like a rare gem that sparkled with the love she had for others in her heart. She considered it a privilege to care for her family, and when she was blessed with grandchildren, nothing could have thrilled her more. Vicenta made the most of every day she was given, even when those days were cloaked in hardship. Her life in many ways was like one of her beautifully embroidered masterpieces, so full of color, beauty, and precious memories that will be forever treasured by all those she leaves behind.

Vicenta N. San Juan died December 31, 2009. Vicenta’s family includes her two sons, Ronaldo (Erlinda) San Juan M.D., of Farmington Hills, Alfredo (Beatriz) San Juan, M.D., of St. Johns, two daughters, Zenaida Henzon of Sterling Heights and Maria Theresa (David) LaBedz of Warren, nine grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and one sister, Elisa DeGuzman of Manila. Vicenta was preceded in death by her husband Cecilio in 2005, her parents, two brothers, and four sisters. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 2, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Ken McDonald officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Friday, with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial donation to St. Joseph Catholic Church.